Summary Many United States immigrant populations develop metabolic diseases post-immigration, but the causes are not well understood. Although the microbiome plays a role in metabolic disease, there have been no studies measuring the effects of U.S. immigration on the gut microbiome. We collected stool, dietary recalls, and anthropometrics from 514 Hmong and Karen individuals living in Thailand and the U.S., including first- and second-generation immigrants and 19 Karen individuals sampled before and after immigration, as well as from 36 U.S.-born European American individuals. Using 16S and deep shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing, we found that migration from a non-Western country to the U.S. is associated with immediate loss of gut microbiome diversity and function, in which U.S.-associated strains and functions displace native strains and functions. These effects increase with duration of U.S. residence, and are compounded by obesity and across generations.

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It is important to measure depressive symptoms in HIV-infected individuals because depressive symptoms have been found to be correlated with faster progression to AIDS. Worldwide, the CES-D has been used to assess depressive symptoms and examined for its construct validity. However, no previous studies have investigated the CES-D's construct validity among HIV-infected perinatal women. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the construct validity of the CES-D using both explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis among HIV-positive perinatal women in Thailand. Results showed that, overall, the CES-D is a 4-factor instrument with good construct validity and can be used to evaluate depressive symptoms among HIV-positive perinatal Thai women. However, some items from our study loaded differently on the 4 factors from Radloff's model. Finally, the CES-D can be used as a general-factor scale without being compromised.

Thailand has used front‐of‐pack labelling (FoPL) policies to support its public health objectives of improving consumer nutrition to reduce the risk of noncommunicable disease. A rapid literature review explored the current types of FoPL systems in Thailand and how they are understood by consumers. Twelve studies were included, most of which examined the mandatory Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) label. Evidence showed gaps in consumer comprehension of the GDA—consistent with international literature demonstrating the GDA is not as effective at improving identification and choice of healthier foods as interpretive labels. Thai consumers reported somewhat better comprehension when colors or text were added to the GDA. Thai stakeholders should consider supplementing or replacing the GDA with one of the newer FoPL systems shown to be more effective in other countries. More rigorous research is necessary to ensure potential FoPL schemes have intended effects among Thai consumers to inform policy action.